Journey into the past as historic Milverton sign goes up for sale

AN historic village sign, thought to be around 100 years old, is to be auctioned off this week.

The AA sign shows Taunton 7¾ above the name Milverton, with Wiveliscombe 2¾ below, while London is judged to be 150 miles away.

The signs were initially produced in 1906 as an advertising tool and, eventually, over 30,000 were distributed throughout the country, mostly mounted on roadside walls.

They remained in place until the Second World War when, fearing a Nazi invasion, the Government ordered all should be taken down as it was concerned they would assist any invading forces.

Duncan Chilcott, principal auctioneer at Chilcotts, said: “I have learnt that, by the end of the war, there were only about 600 left, and today there are approximately 65 still in situ around the country.

“Many more have survived in museums and private collections but we do not know whether this sign for Milverton has been included in any inventory.

“I visited Milverton with the sign to try and ascertain where it would have been situated.

“The junction of Sand Street, Fore Street and St Michael’s Hill seems most likely; indeed, there is a road sign giving almost identical distances to Taunton and Wiveliscombe.”

The AA Village Sign for Milverton will be sold at Chilcotts in Honiton on Saturday (March 22). It carries an auction estimate of £300-£400.